Description

Rare and Historic Factory-Engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy
Percussion Revolver Inscribed to Confederate Colonel Robert
McMillan, 24th Regiment Georgia Infantry. Serial no. 15927, .36
caliber, 7 1/2-inch octagonal barrel with single-line New York
address. Fully scroll-engraved with wolf's head hammer and floral
blossoms. Case-hardened lever, hammer and frame. Engraved screws.
Cylinder engraved with naval battle scene. Small triggerguard.
Silver-plated brass triggerguard and gripstrap assembly. Varnished
walnut grips. Sold together with portfolio of photostatic documents
on Colonel Robert McMillan. He received his appointment as a
colonel from Georgia Governor Joseph Brown on August 31, 1861.
Provenance includes numerous copies of pay receipts for Company A,
24th regiment of Georgia infantry. Also included are copies of
important letters to Confederate States President Jefferson
Davis from Governor Joseph E. Brown of Georgia, Executive
Department, Milledgeville, Georgia, recommending McMillan for
promotion to Brigadier General. File also includes copies of two
letters from A. Moise, Jr., to President Jefferson Davis,
recommending McMillan be promoted to Brigadier General. Another has
a note on reverse stating: "Referred by the President [Davis]
asks appt. of Colonel Robt. McMillan, of Geo. now Commanding at
Washington, No.[North] Ca. [Carolina] as General of the Military
District of Beaufort , N.C. -has the Command now". There is a
document showing McMillan present in Fredericksburg during
November, 1862. Another shows McMillan was "slightly wounded in
arm" and mentions a 30 day disability furlow, June 27, 1863.
There are also copies of two letters from A. Moise, Jr. to the
confederate Secretary of War, recommending McMillan to the
appointment of Brigadier General. The 24th Georgia fought in more
than 50 engagements during the war, including Fredericksburg,
Chancellorsville, Chickamauga, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold
Harbor, Petersburg, Sailor's Creek and Appomattox Court House. It
would be difficult to find a better factory engraved Colt Navy with
this much history or provenance. Condition: Good to very good.
Metal showing a rich, grey-brown patina and light handling wear
commensurate with age of revolver. Faded case-hardening with areas
of vibrance on lever. Strong cylinder scene. Triggerguard and
gripstrap retaining slight traces of silver finish, primarily in
protected areas, the remainder with age wear and patina. Grips very
good with light age wear and minor blemishes. Action tight and
crisp.